I'm surprised you've cited a study where the UK fatality is LOWER than the Netherlands. A google news search reveals plenty of cycling road deaths in the UK. Either there are more UK cyclists than Dutch ones or that study needs to reflect more recent data.

CommuRider wrote:I'm surprised you've cited a study where the UK fatality is LOWER than the Netherlands. A google news search reveals plenty of cycling road deaths in the UK. Either there are more UK cyclists than Dutch ones or that study needs to reflect more recent data.

Participation rate, and total kms cycled in the netherlands is vastly larger. England has twice the fatalities per km or per participant for cyclists.

The terrible news came through last night that long time CCCC member Doug Garley had been killed after being struck by a car on a training ride in his new home of Ballarat.

Doug, a former European and Australian Professional rider, and his family lived for many years just a few metres from the Packer Park Velodrome, and was an enthusiastic and old school trackie, always ready to help new-comers to the sport with tips and tactics, and single gluing (with shellac!) lessons. Shane Perkins was among the younger riders he took under his wing with great success.

He was struck from behind by a blue Holden Barina about 4pm and died at the scene.

The female driver aged in her 80s from Clunes, is assisting Creswick police with their inquiries.

my sincere condolences. but i'm angry that at least someone somewhere has known that old "doris" has been stubbornly getting behind the wheel, probably despite numerous 'harmless' fender benders, you just can't tell her to stop driving

So sad did they get the person?This is why cyclists get angry it doesn't matter who''s fault it is it is normally the cyclist that gets killed.The ABC need to know that fault or not the ratio of deaths would be in at least 100,000:1 not a fair game to play.

Mysta wrote:Not the most poignant post for a Newbie however after having so many near misses lately I decided to start conducting some research.

Frightening stuff really.

"In the fifteen years from 1991 to 2005, 665 cyclists were killed in road crashes"

And we haven't added 2005 to 2012 yet.

You might care to consider and comment on the information on this thread Road Deaths Australia—2011 Statistical Summary - it shows a slight improvement on the numbers but there were still 173 cyclists killed in the period 2005 to 2011

Anyone know any more information on the poor guy hit marshalling the Adelaide cycling event? Cycling related incident i guess.Is he recovering in hospital okay? I only heard a breif snippet on the radio.

cp123 wrote:http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/two-fight-for-life-after-bike-crashes-20120802-23gi6.html Not fatalities - but still serious.

From the link

Before sunrise this morning, a cyclist in Ascot Vale lost control of his bike and veered into the path of an oncoming car.Police said the man was riding down Maribyrnong Road near Epsom Road when the collision happened about 6am.An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the cyclist was knocked unconscious by the collision and was treated at the scene, before being rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition with life-threatening head injuries.AdvertisementThe driver of the car stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their inquiries.

Anyone else finding the description of how the accident occurred a bit on the nose?

Conveniently the cyclist was unconscious and his injuries will mean that his recall of the incident will forever be under question leaving only the motorists version. Helmet cams running at all times you're on your bike people

cp123 wrote:http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/two-fight-for-life-after-bike-crashes-20120802-23gi6.html Not fatalities - but still serious.

From the link

Before sunrise this morning, a cyclist in Ascot Vale lost control of his bike and veered into the path of an oncoming car.Police said the man was riding down Maribyrnong Road near Epsom Road when the collision happened about 6am.An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the cyclist was knocked unconscious by the collision and was treated at the scene, before being rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition with life-threatening head injuries.AdvertisementThe driver of the car stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their inquiries.

Anyone else finding the description of how the accident occurred a bit on the nose?

Conveniently the cyclist was unconscious and his injuries will mean that his recall of the incident will forever be under question leaving only the motorists version. Helmet cams running at all times you're on your bike people

I was a regular commuter on the New England Hwy near where this fatality happened. That was until yesterday. Now I'm gonna use the excellent bus service and save my cycling for safer, calmer, quieter roads......

This pinch point has been a very well known hazard for a very long time. The road shoulder disappears on a bend at an old, narrow rail overpass. It's a 90 zone and in busy afternoon westbound traffic also adds the hazard of the setting sun. I wouldn't cycle here at 5am on a Sunday morning.

But obviously my heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Giant TCR Adv 0 Di2SE Draft Lite SSFelt Dispatch SSSurly Cross Check CXFuji Nevada 3.0 MTBEvery time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. H G Wells

KonaCommuter wrote:Anyone else finding the description of how the accident occurred a bit on the nose?

Conveniently the cyclist was unconscious and his injuries will mean that his recall of the incident will forever be under question leaving only the motorists version. Helmet cams running at all times you're on your bike people

If a car is 4m offline to strike an oncoming cyclist it will usually proceed to strike further vehicles or scenery before coming to rest. If the accident is a cross (ie the driver turned into an intersection or driveway), then the police will figure that out pretty quick.

waramatt wrote:I was a regular commuter on the New England Hwy near where this fatality happened. That was until yesterday. Now I'm gonna use the excellent bus service and save my cycling for safer, calmer, quieter roads......

This pinch point has been a very well known hazard for a very long time. The road shoulder disappears on a bend at an old, narrow rail overpass. It's a 90 zone and in busy afternoon westbound traffic also adds the hazard of the setting sun. I wouldn't cycle here at 5am on a Sunday morning.

But obviously my heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

I do this bridge every day I commute. Ever since I started commuting to and from work, I have always called it a "death" point of my ride. I actually rode over the same point about 30 minutes or so before this accident. As a result, I now hop off the bike and walk across the bridge, even then there isnt a lot of room to do this, but the 30 secs or so that it may take to walk across is worth it if it means I get to arrive home.

I am sorry for the family involved and am hoping it isnt someone I have come across on my commutes...I am yet to see again someone who fits this age bracket that does this commute, hopefully it wasnt him.

He used to regularly ride out to Raymond Terrace most weekday afternoons. I hadn't seen much of him in the past few weeks,so maybe he'd changed his ride and decided to go up Maitland way rather than up to the Terrace. I didn't know his name until today, but we often rode the Raymo to Sandgate leg together, and would stop for a chat at the Sandgate lights. His trademark moustache made him unmistakable. He was friendly, always gave a wave and had recently upgraded to a new bike.

There's an empty spot inside me now that I know I won't come across him any more. His death is the reason I stopped commuting. My wife begged me to after hearing about this accident, so I gave in to give her peace of mind.

Glad to hear you're now taking preventative action. IMHO that one spot is far and away the most dangerous cycling black spot in the Hunter. Stay safe out there.

Giant TCR Adv 0 Di2SE Draft Lite SSFelt Dispatch SSSurly Cross Check CXFuji Nevada 3.0 MTBEvery time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. H G Wells